Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan

08/25/2026

We had a great time teaching the public about raptors and wildlife rehabilitation! Thank you to everyone who came to visit us!

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 – with Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan

Every Wednesday throughout the summer, we are excited to bring you a different nature-themed pop-up program for you and your kids to enjoy together. Each Pop-Up Program will include garden time, a themed activity area, and the chance to engage with one or more community partners.

This week’s theme we’ll learn all about birds! Don’t forget to grab a free lunch for those 18 and younger at the Meet Up and Eat Up truck from 11:55-12:25 pm!

Cost: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲
Pre-registration is not required.

08/10/2026

It truly takes a village to save wildlife. 💚 One of the most important parts of wildlife rehabilitation is working together. No single organization can do it all and this little Merlin is the perfect example of what can happen when we come together.

When this Merlin’s original nest was compromised and its parents didn’t return, we knew we needed a plan. From intake, to coordinating a new place to call home, to traveling miles for the perfect renesting location, this little bird had quite the journey!

🌳 There was tree climbing.
👀 There was careful observation from a distance.
🚗 There were miles traveled for transport.
❤️ And there were multiple organizations working together with one goal: giving this Merlin the best chance to grow up wild.

A huge THANK YOU to Skegemog Raptor Center for making the renesting arrangements and to Michigan Avian Experience for providing the transport that helped make this possible!

Wildlife rehabilitation truly takes a village and when we work together, amazing things can happen. 🥰

Thank you to everyone who plays a part in these success stories! 💚

07/28/2026

COMING UP NEXT: We have 3 popular events. On Aug 1 get up close and personal with a Bald Eagle with Francie from Michigan Avian Experience. Then on Aug 8 indulge in the scent, beauty, and benefits of lavender with experts Alicia Tatham & Mark Anderson of nearby Driftwood Lavender Farm. Followed on Aug 22 by the ever popular snake encounter when Jim McGrath from Nature Discovery shares All About Michigan Snakes.

06/23/2026

Big win for the raptors of Rhode Island!

Gov. Dan McKee signed into law a ban on anticoagulant rodenticides that are designed to kill rats and mice but have been linked to deaths of raptors.

06/21/2026

We’re still in awe after the release of this majestic Bald Eagle, who was found on April 8 at Crow Island State Game Area in Saginaw, Michigan.

When he arrived in our care, he was suffering from three fractures in his right wing. Through his federal leg band, we learned that he is approximately 11 years old, a testament to the resilience and experience of this remarkable bird. His journey back to freedom was only possible because of the incredible teamwork and dedication of so many people.

From the finders who contacted the DNR, to the conservation officers who assisted with his capture, to the veterinary team who provided radiographs and diagnostic testing, every person played an important role in his recovery. We are also deeply grateful to our mentors for their guidance and experienced eyes, and especially to our veterinarian, whose successful wing repair gave this eagle a chance to fly again.

This release was particularly meaningful because it took place on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. Watching this powerful bird take flight and soar back into the wild was an unforgettable reminder of resilience, determination, and the impact of compassion, a true testimony to many of the wonderful fathers out there!

As he climbed higher into the sky, he gave us a truly inspiring display of flight! A beautiful ending to a challenging rehabilitation journey and the beginning of his next chapter back where he belongs. Knowing that this 11-year-old eagle overcame such significant injuries and returned to the skies made the moment even more special.

🦅 Thank you to everyone who helped make this success story possible. Your support, dedication, and generosity give birds like this eagle a second chance at freedom.

If stories like this inspire you, please consider making a donation to help us continue providing life-saving care to injured and orphaned wildlife. Every contribution helps give more patients the opportunity to heal, recover, and return to the wild.

Donate today:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/raptor-center-of-southeast-michigan

06/19/2026

Not all intakes end with releases, and to be honest, we see far more heartbreaking cases than happy endings.

This week, we worked closely with concerned finders and our incredible transport volunteers to rescue several injured birds, including a Turkey Vulture found along the side of the road.

Unfortunately, upon intake, we discovered the vulture had suffered a severely fractured right wing along with significant head trauma. Due to the extent of his injuries and poor prognosis, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.

While this wasn’t the outcome anyone hoped for, the finder and her daughters created this beautiful image in his memory. It serves as a reminder of why we do this work, not only to rehabilitate wildlife when possible, but also to educate people about these incredible birds, the challenges they face, and what it means when a wild animal is found grounded and in distress.

Every bird matters. Every rescue attempt matters. And every person who stops to help makes a difference!

06/17/2026

Big thanks to Selene, Dave Hogan, and the team at Michigan Falcon Project⁠ for coming out to band the three peregrine falcon siblings!

These young falcons are doing fantastic, flying strongly, hitting all the perches, and showing us every day that they’re getting closer to life back in the wild. Watching them develop the skills they’ll need to survive on their own has been incredible, and we’re excited to see them released soon!

Every successful release is only possible because of the support of our community. We rely on donations to provide food, medical care, medications, housing, and rehabilitation for injured, orphaned, and sick birds of prey that come through our doors.

🦅 Want to help these falcons and future patients soar? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/raptor-center-of-southeast-michigan

Every dollar helps give a raptor a second chance at freedom. Thank you for being part of their journey! ❤️🦅

06/11/2026

Our newest patients are three fledgling peregrine falcons whose feathers are not yet fully developed for the demanding flight skills they need to survive on their own.

A huge thank you goes out to our amazing transport volunteers, Anna and Kari, for bringing one youngster to us each day this week, and to finder Jean, who has gone above and beyond helping us locate the nest site and monitor the parents. Their dedication is making a real difference for these young falcons.

These little ones will remain in our care until they are strong, skilled fliers. Once they’re ready, we’ll return them to their family so they can continue learning the critical survival skills only their parents can teach.

Every patient that comes through our doors requires specialized housing, medical care, food, medications, and countless hours of dedicated rehabilitation. If you’d like to help us continue providing lifesaving care to Michigan’s birds of prey, please consider making a donation today.

❤️ Donate at: raptorcentermi.org

Your support makes stories like these possible. Thank you for standing with us as we give these incredible birds a second chance.

06/11/2026

🦅 Eagle Update: Thank you for your patience as we’ve been extremely busy here at the Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan. Wildlife season is in full swing, and new patients have been arriving daily, along with filtering multiple phone calls a day.

Unfortunately, we have some difficult news to share about one of the two bald eagles we recently admitted.

Despite our best efforts, eagle 26-17 had to be humanely euthanized due to severe neurological and balance issues resulting from a high-voltage electrocution injury. While this outcome is heartbreaking, we are grateful that we were able to provide compassionate care and prevent further suffering.

On a brighter note, eagle 26-16 continues to make encouraging progress! After suffering a wing fractured in three places, he is now flying very well in our flight pen and continues to build strength and endurance every day. We remain hopeful that he may be a candidate for release in the future. Stay tuned for more updates as his rehabilitation continues!

As we’ve been caring for these eagles, we’ve also been busy reuniting and renesting young birds whenever possible. Thank you for your support!

05/25/2026

Open house dates for 2026 are set! Mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you and introducing you to all our feathered coworkers! Check back for more details.